Suddenly Pasta Salad
Posted by Neena on 06/23/08 in Contests and Giveaways, Food and Nutrition, Products
UPDATE: This contest is now closed.
A good summer pasta salad is a staple of summertime barbecues.
I recently had the chance to try two of Suddenly Salad’s Pasta Salad varieties by Betty Crocker. And just in time, too. Last week was a picnic filled week for our family. The last day of school finally arrived and there were celebrations galore (maybe too many). I took the opportunity to whip up my boxes of Suddenly Salad and see what the consensus was.
Suddenly Salad comes in six flavors:
- Suddenly Salad Classic
- Suddenly Salad Ranch & Bacon
- Suddenly Salad Caesar
- Suddenly Salad Creamy Parmesan
- Suddenly Salad Creamy Italian
- Suddenly Salad Chipotle Ranch
I opted for the Classic and Chipotle Ranch.
On the day of the picnic I set out to prepare the cold pasta salad recipes early in the day, so they would have ample time to refrigerate and cool down before the evening. The box says that you can serve immediately, but who likes lukewarm pasta salad? And refrigerating allows the flavors time to “sink in”, resulting in a better tasting pasta salad.
I figured making the Suddenly Salad wouldn’t take very long - after all the word “suddenly”, in my mind, implies instantaneous. I figured all the ingredients to make these pasta salad recipes would be in the box. So, I was somewhat surprised when upon reading the directions I discovered that I would need to add oil and water to the Classic variety, and mayonnaise and milk to the Chipotle Ranch variety. Luckily, I had everything I needed on hand.
Preparing the pasta salad was a straightforward process. Each box contained a packet of noodles and dehydrated vegetables combined together and a seasoning packet. You add the pasta and vegetables to boiling water and cook for the time specified. I stuck to the package directions and the pasta cooked to a perfect consistency. While the pasta is cooking, you combine the seasoning packet with the ingredients specified (like the oil and water, or mayonnaise and milk).
When the pasta is finished cooking, you drain it, rinse it with cold water, and mix it with the prepared seasoning mix.
Easy. Refrigerate if you like and serve.
Everyone at the picnic enjoyed the pasta salad. The kids seemed to prefer the Classic variety - which was a mix of tri-colored pasta spirals and Italian type seasonings. I thought it was a little too sour, kind of lemony, and a bit salty.
And the adults overall preferred the Chipotle Ranch, which had a little kick to it but not too spicy.
Suddenly Pasta Salad Giveaway
If you would like to try your own box of Suddenly Salad for free, leave a comment on this post. I have five coupons to give away, each winner will receive one coupon that is good for one free box of Suddenly Pasta Salad. I will choose five winners at random. Please leave your comment by midnight on Sunday June 29, 2008.
This contest is subject to my contest rules which you can read here.
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Kimberly | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE the Bacon Ranch Suddenly Salad!!!!! I have tried most flavors and love them. I have yet to try the Creamy Parm and Creamy Italian. I don’t see them in my local stores. I hope they get them in stock soon!
Thanks for the YUMMY prize give away!
Ann B | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
I’ve never tried it, but I’d sure like to…thanks for the giveaway!
Karin A | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
I have tried several varieties–they are pretty good. Thanks for the chance to win!
Audrey | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
I have to admit, I’ve never tried this, but Pasta Roni is one of my favorites so I’ll bet I’d like this. Thanks for the offer and contest.
Valerie | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
Would love to try one of these! Great giveaway!
mannequin | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
I’d love to try! I love pasta salad but always someone elses. Mine is just …well, lacking something. It would be great to have a pasta salad that convenient.
Thank you!
Kam A | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
We love Suddenly Salad! Thank you for the giveaway!
Daniela | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
I would love to try one and what better way than getting it for free? Please count me in your giveaway. Thanks!
Linda F | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
I have never tried this product but I would love to. Please enter me. Thanks
Michelle Rosborough | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
I would love to try this
Cindi | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
Hello Neena! Sounds scrumptious to me! Please enter me in your delightful drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
Ginny | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
Great contest, I’d love to give this a try! Salads are so good especially in the summer!
Johannah B | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
Of course I’d love to be entered…and thanks for the invite… nice prize too!! Especially summer-ly
Angela Schultz | Jun 26, 2008 | Reply
It is a wonderful and tasty salad. I always make mine following the recipe on the box, but instead of using the spice packet and adding oil I use Fat Free Italian dressing and I always add pieces of ham and a bunch of yummy tomatoes. My whole family enjoys it including my 16 month old baby. My four year old even tells us the color of the noodles. I’m glad you and your family enjoyed it as well.
Michele | Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
This would be fun to try on a hot summer night
Elizabeth M. | Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
This is a great summer food for picnics and I’d love to try it!
Courtney | Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
I would love to give this a try. Thanks
Susan | Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
I’ve been wanting to try out some of their newer flavors! Great giveaway!
Emilie | Jun 28, 2008 | Reply
I have tried the the Ranch and just love it. I wasn’t as impressed with the classic as it seemed a little boring to me. But I haven’t tried the Chipotle or the Creamy Italian and would LOVE to. Thanks for the giveaway!
Connie | Jun 28, 2008 | Reply
I would love to try the creamy italian, count me in! I usually make everything like this by scratch but I don’t always have the time. This would be perfect!
boogiemum | Jun 28, 2008 | Reply
I have never tried these salads, but I would love to give them a whirl. They look easy to put together, which is a definite plus in my book
Please include me in your contest
Aruni | Jun 29, 2008 | Reply
Never tried them, but after that glowing review how can I not hope to win a free box!